Results tagged “Project Play” from Carpe Hootem
There is an old English Proverb that states, "All good things must come to an end." And so it is with Project Play.
The Project Play team met yesterday to discuss the project, where we are, where we’re going, and how we can maintain what we’ve been running since the Fall of 2007. I am sorry to report that we have decided to end the project as of today. It actually wasn’t too difficult of a decision to make, surprisingly enough. It just seems like the momentum has been slowing for some time, and our efforts are being duplicated through other means. We simply can’t justify the time spent on keeping up the blog and doing the monthly Play Dates for the amount of activity those things are generating.
The good news is that the Project Play team will still be blogging in other places, and we’ll focus our energy on providing cool programming at the annual WLA and WAPL conferences. So keep your eye out for us in the future!
The other good news is that we know you’re out there playing more, learning more, and fearing less. Our main goal was accomplished and that was to make technology and cool web tools less threatening and learning about them more fun. We know you’ll continue to explore tools on your own and share what you have learned with others.
Here are some of the places we’ll be blogging, along with other blogs we recommend that will help you keep up with what’s happening on the web:
- The Ides (from Winnefox)
- TechBits (from South Central)
- Just Beth on Libraries (from me)
- Sites and Soundbytes (Tasha Saecker)
- eHub
- LifeHacker
- David Lee King
The Project Play blog will stay up for a while, but won’t be updated any longer. We’ll keep the comments open until Thursday, August 20th, so leave us a farewell message before then. Thanks for playing along! We’ll miss Project Play, but who knows what we’ll come up with in the future?! 
(image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/dyanna/3230306444/)
The next Project Play Date will take place on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 1:30 PM via GoToWebinar. Here's the info:Join Beth and Stef and learn about screencasting: what it is, why you should consider creating some, tools and resources to get you started, along with tips to keep in mind when recording. These brief video tutorials are a fantastic way to empower your customers by providing training on demand in a popular, easily accessible format.
Anyone is welcome to attend, just be sure to sign up soon. "See" you there!
> contributed by Beth
The next Project Play Date will take place this Friday, May 22nd at 10 AM via GoToWebinar. We are honored to have Helene Blowers, founder of the Learning 2.0 phenomenon and inspiration for Project Play, joining us to present "Innovation Starts with I." Here's the propaganda:Innovation has become such a bandied word these days that in some organizations it’s now an expectation for library staff to be innovative from the ground up. So, where does “innovation” really come from? and how do you kickstart something at an organizational level that is, by its very nature, connected to the elusive waves of individual creativity? The answer: Innovation starts with “I.” This session will explore how the I, YOU, WE of organization cultures are involved in responding to the needs and desires to innovate and change.
In 2007, our presenter was named a Mover & Shaker by Library Journal as one of the 50 most influential people shaping the future of libraries. The discovery learning program, Learning 2.0: 23 Things, that she created while serving as Technology Director for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (NC) has launched a world-wide 2.0 learning sensation and has been replicated by over 700 organizations in 15 countries, including our very own Project Play.
I really hope you'll be able to join us! Please sign up today to be sure not to miss this exciting event. If you have any questions about it, feel free to give me a call.
Speaking of Helene Blowers, I came across a great video from the Aarhus Library on her blog last week. Here's the blurb:
User-driven innovation is on everybody's lips. But it's not easy to find out what it is all about: Participatory design, workshops, questionnaires, social technologies, user-generated content, personas, scenarios, observations etc. Aarhus Main Library unleashed the users in the period 2007-2009 and worked with various methods of user involvement in the libraries.Here's the video, in case you're interested:
Looks like an intense process, but what a great way to engage your users and have them take ownership in what the library becomes in the community!
> contributed by Beth
We don't have any more CE workshops scheduled until next Fall, and those are still in the planning phase, so to keep you entertained until then <wink> I've listed the following webinars on our Online Classes page on OWLSweb.Wednesday, April 22, 10 AM - 11:30 AM
Open Meetings Law and You (sponsored by NFLS)
Thursday, April 23, 1 PM - 2 PM
Mango Languages (sponsored by OWLS)
Tuesday, April 28, 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Get More Out of Firefox (sponsored by Project Play)
Wednesday, May 6, 7 PM - 8 PM
Library 2.0: Technology in Children's Services (sponsored by ALA)
Friday, May 22, 10 AM - 11 AM
Innovation Starts With I - with Helene Blowers (sponsored by Project Play)
More information and registration links are available for all of these webinars on the Online Classes page. I hope you'll be joining us!
> contributed by Beth
There has been a lot of focus on helping job seekers lately, which is obviously very important. But what about the children of struggling households? Adopting some of CML's ideas could be really helpful to them.
By the way, Helene Blowers will be our presenter for the May Project Play Date. Sign up now to join us on the 22nd for "Innovation Starts with I."
> contributed by Beth
It's not too late to sign up for this Wednesday's Project Play Date on "Exploring Google Reader" with Jean Anderson. We'll be meeting online, as usual, via GoToWebinar at 10 a.m. Here's the description:During Project Play, we explored RSS and using Bloglines to collect and organize your RSS feeds (Week 3 of Semester 1). If you’re a Gmail or Google Docs user, you probably know about Google Reader. This program will explore all the features of Google Reader including subscribing to and organizing your feeds, sharing items with friends, and tips for using Google Reader (or any newsreader) effectively. If you want to refresh your memory on RSS and Newsreaders, check out the Common Craft video: RSS in Plain English.
In April, Joy Schwarz will be presenting "Get More Out of Firefox" on the 28th at 1:30 p.m. Here's the blurb for this Play Date:
Already use Firefox for your browser, but want to learn about the features and add-ons that can make your work day more efficient and productive? Don't use Firefox yet and wonder why anyone would switch from Internet Explorer?
Join Joy Schwarz of Winnefox Library System to get...
- Tips for tabbed browsing
- A demo of how to install and manage add-ons
- Add-ons that fit your workflow and help get stuff done faster and easier.
And in May, we have a real treat planned! Helene Blowers, the inventor of the first Learning 2.0 program, will join us to share "Innovation Starts with I."Innovation has become such a bandied word these days that in some organizations it’s now an expectation for library staff to be innovative from the ground up. So, where does “innovation” really come from? and how do you kickstart something at an organizational level that is, by its very nature, connected to the elusive waves of individual creativity? The answer: Innovation starts with “I.” This session will explore how the I, YOU, WE of organization cultures are involved in responding to the needs and desires to innovate and change.
In 2007, our presenter was named a Mover & Shaker by Library Journal as one of the 50 most influential people shaping the future of libraries. The discovery learning program, Learning 2.0: 23 Things, that she created while serving as Technology Director for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (NC) has launched a world-wide 2.0 learning sensation and has been replicated by over 700 organizations in 15 countries, including our very own Project Play.
Blowers program will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 22nd, so save the date!
More details and registration links for these Play Dates, along with other online class options are available on the Online Classes page on OWLSweb. Sign up today!
> contributed by Beth
The American Library Association (ALA) has created a new resource, The Librarian's Guide to Gaming: An Online Toolkit for Building Gaming @ Your Library. The toolkit includes gaming history, resources, tips, and best practices from librarians delivering successful gaming programs at all types of libraries. There is great, practical info here if you're just getting started, and wonderful ideas if you want to expand your gaming options.And while we're on the topic, you might want to view the last Project Play Date recording, Gaming @ the Library: The Whys, Wiis, and Hows Explained, presented by Jeannie McBeth of the Oshkosh Public Library. Jeannie provided some great resources and websites and loads of enthusiasm on the topic, so it's worth a look.
And while we're still on the topic... Remember that OWLS member libraries can borrow gaming equipment to use for programs at your library. A list of available equipment and games, along with a reservation calendar and online request form can be found on the Gaming page on OWLSweb.
Start gaming @ your library today!
> contributed by Beth
Most recordings will stay up indefinitely, unless requested otherwise by the presenter. So take a look, see what interests you and listen in when it suits you. If handouts are available, they are included with the recording links for each program. Enjoy!
> contributed by Beth
Don't miss the next Project Play Date, "Gaming @ the Library: The Whys, Wiis, and Hows Explained," scheduled for Friday, February 27th at 10 a.m. Our presenter will be Jeannie McBeth from the Oshkosh Public Library. Here's the program description:If you're unsure of the role gaming has in libraries, or if you want to start new game programs at your library but don't know how to go about it, attend this session to get answers as well as basic and practical tips.
Jeannie McBeth of Oshkosh Public Library will talk about the gamut of gaming opportunities in libraries -- from board games to Wii, and from kids to seniors. Join us to learn about libraries as the setting for gaming, playing, and learning!
The Play Dates are held online using GoToWebinar. Everyone is welcome to attend! Sign up today on the Online Classes page on OWLSweb.
The Project Play team has also decided to liven up the PP blog and use it for more than just posts about the Play Dates, so we'll be making weekly posts from here on out about more cool 2.0 tools to play with or follow-up on past topics. Be sure to subscribe to the blog in your RSS reader or visit weekly to check out the new posts.
> contributed by Beth
Don't miss the February Project Play Dates coming up in the next couple of weeks! We'll learn more about Flickr with Tana Elias from the Madison Public Library on Tuesday, February 17th at 2 PM. Here's the program description:Expand your Flickr knowledge with an overview of Flickr changes in the last year. Learn how to make the most of your library's Flickr account (or find some compellling reasons to sign up with Flickr) including: customization options; badges; easy photo editing; Flickr time-saving utilities; behind-the-scenes manipulation of dates and viewing permissions; Flickr's new video storage. Discover the differences between a free and Pro account, and explore legal ramifications of Flickr for libraries - including questions about photo copyright and photo permissions.
We also have "Gaming @ the Library: the Whys, Wiis, and Hows Explained" scheduled for Friday, February 27th at 10 AM. Our presenter will be Jeannie McBeth from the Oshkosh Public Library.
If you're unsure of the role gaming has in libraries, or if you want to start new game programs at your library but don't know how to go about it, attend this session to get answers as well as basic and practical tips.
Jeannie McBeth of Oshkosh Public Library will talk about the gamut of gaming opportunities in libraries -- from board games to Wii, and from kids to seniors. Join us to learn about libraries as the setting for gaming, playing, and learning!
The Play Dates are held online using GoToWebinar. Everyone is welcome to attend! Sign up today on the Online Classes page on OWLSweb.
The Project Play team has also decided to liven up the PP blog and use it for more than just posts about the Play Dates, so we'll be making weekly posts from here on out about more cool 2.0 tools to play with or follow-up on past topics. Be sure to subscribe to the blog in your RSS reader or visit weekly to check out the new posts.
> contributed by Beth
The Media and Technology Section (MATS) of the Wisconsin Library Association recently announced the winners of the 2008 Webbies Awards for excellence in Wisconsin web site design, and I'm happy to say that our very own Project Play has won for Best Reference Site! This is particularly exciting, since InfoSoup won last year's Webbie in the same category. Other winners include:- LD Fargo Library YouTube Channel for "Best Innovative Use of Technology in Providing Library Services" and "Best of the Best"
- Monona Public Library for "Best Site for Kids"
- Beloit Public Library for "Coolest Design"
- Wisconsin's Water Library for "Most Accessible Site"
> contributed by Beth
Save the following dates and join us for some great continuing education opportunities! Details for some of the workshops are still forthcoming, so stay tuned to the CE page for more info.- Wednesday, January 21, 9:15 - 11:15 AM
Google Reader Basics - Friday, January 23, 10 - 11 AM
Project Play Date: More With Flickr - Thursday, February 12, 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
A day with Deb Wilcox Johnson - morning session on "getting things done/time management" and an afternoon session on personnel management
two semesters of learning officially ended last Spring, but we have kept it going on a monthly basis by offering Play Dates online via OPAL. As we begin planning for Play Dates in 2009, we want to get your input on how the Play Dates have been going and how we might improve them.Please take a few minutes to respond to a short online survey. We'd like to hear from everyone who has participated in the Play Dates, but even if you haven't played along in OPAL this is your chance to let us know why not.
Thanks for your help!
> contributed by Beth
Our next Play Date is scheduled for Friday, December 19th at 10 a.m. online in OPAL. The topic will be “The Social Library.” Here’s the description:Come and play with some of the hot social networking tools, including Twitter, FriendFeed and Delicious. Tasha Saecker, director of the Menasha Public Library, will speak about the impact of having your library involved in the new social web.
If you’d like to attend this online Play Date please register on the SCLS web site, so we’ll know how many people to expect. If you can’t make the Play Date, the content will be posted on the PP blog so you’ll be able to go through it at your leisure.
Remember, anyone can participate in the Play Dates, even if you didn't participate in the past. So please join us! If you'd like help getting familiar with OPAL, please contact me so I can help you out.
> contributed by Beth
Our next Play Date is scheduled for Friday, November 21st at 10 a.m. online in OPAL. The topic will be "The Wonderful World of Widgets." Here’s the description:Learn how to liven up your web sites and blogs with portable chunks of code called widgets. There are loads of sizes and types, and they are incredibly easy to use. Just copy and paste! Joy Schwarz and Beth Carpenter will show you how to find them and why you should consider using them.
If you’d like to attend the online Play Date please register on the SCLS web site, so we’ll know how many people to expect. If you can’t make it to the Play Date, the content will be posted on the blog so you’ll be able to go through it at your leisure.
"See" you on the 21st!
> contributed by Beth
If you missed the CE workshops last week in Seymour, never fear! The sessions were recorded and are now available on blip.tv. The videos and handouts are available on the Past CE Program Information page on OWLSweb, along with handouts and recordings from other workshops, including Project Play Dates. > contributed by Beth
Be sure to sign up for the next Project Play Date on Friday, October 24 at 10 AM. Stef will be presenting "Tech Gadgets - Cool Toys... and More!" via OPAL. Here's the description:Come learn about some cool gadgets and why they are important. Not just cool tech toys, gadgets are indicators of trends that are shaping our media and technology world. Stef Morrill will share information about various gadgets and their impact.
Remember, anyone can sign up, even if you never participated in Project Play before. And if you have questions about participating via OPAL just give me a call - I'll do my best to help you out!
> contributed by Beth
The next OWLS CE workshop is coming up on Tuesday, October 14th at the Muehl Public Library in Seymour. Jeffrey Russell will be presenting two workshops - the AM session is entitled "Leadership for Your Library," and the PM session will be "Providing GREAT Customer Service at Your Library." Visit the CE page on OWLSweb for more information and to register online. Space is limited, so sign up soon!Project Play also has a session coming up. "Password Management Made Easy" will take place online in OPAL on Friday, September 26th at 10 AM. More information and a registration link is available on the Online Classes page. You need not have participated in Project Play before this in order to attend - all are welcome!
If you have suggestions for future CE workshops, please use the Suggestion Form to share your ideas. Thanks!
> contributed by Beth
Check out these exciting continuing education opportunities sponsored by OWLS!Friday, August 22
Project Play Date on OPAL: "More on LibraryThing"
Tuesday, September 16
Raising Literate Children Begins at Birth: Books and Literacy Experiences for Babies and Toddlers/Every Child Ready to Read with nationally-known speaker and author Sue McCleaf Nespeca. (co-sponsored with Winnefox Library System)
Tuesday, October 14
Leadership for Your Library/Providing GREAT Customer Service at Your Library with Jeffrey Russell, co-director of Russell Consulting, Inc. (co-sponsored with Nicolet Federated Library System)
More information about these programs is available on the CE page on OWLSweb, along with links to online registration, so sign up today!
And just as a heads up, we're also going to have Joan Frye Williams and George Needham present "It Ain't Necessarily So: Challenging the Assumptions of Legacy Librarianship" online in the OPAL Auditorium sometime this Fall (fingers crossed!) They're busy these days, so we're trying to pin down a date that's good for everyone. Once we have a date, I'll let you know ASAP, because you won't want to miss their presentation!
If you have questions about any of these programs, please feel free to contact me.
> contributed by Beth
Project Play held its second Play Date this morning on the topic of Google apps. If you missed the OPAL session, you can still get all the info on the blog, including a recording of the Play Date session. Our next OPAL date will take place on Friday, August 22nd, when Jean Anderson from South Central Library System will present "More on LibraryThing." Be sure to register online if you'll be able to join us!
(Remember, anyone can participate in the Play Dates, even if you haven't participated in Project Play before this. Directors seeking recertification can earn contact hours for the OPAL session, too!)
> contributed by Beth
Our next Play Date is scheduled for Friday, July 25th at 10 a.m. online in OPAL. The topic will be “More on Google Apps.” Since this is a continuation of an earlier topic, be sure to do Week 2 of Semester 2 so you’re up to speed on the topic before the OPAL session. If you’d like to attend the online Play Date please register on the SCLS web site, so we’ll know how many people to expect. If you can’t make it to the Play Date, the content will be posted here on the blog so you’ll be able to go through it at your leisure.
Remember that you can attend and participate in the Play Dates even if you didn't participate in either semester of Project Play. Just do the blog exercises included above to be sure to be up to speed with everyone else.
“See” you on the 25th!
> contributed by Beth
I'm happy to report that Project Play lives on. We are going to continue the Project indefinitely, but on a less intense schedule and set-up. Here's the plan:Project Play will now be open to anyone and won't require any registration. People who couldn't participate in the first 2 semesters can, as usual, use the PP blog to do any of the past exercises. We will no longer track participants' progress or supply incentives.
We’ll have “Play Dates” online in OPAL on the 4th Friday of the month June through December 2008 and February through May 2009, during which we will discuss a new topic or more advanced features of an old topic and have time for you to ask questions. We’ll post the Play Date content on the blog on the same day as the OPAL session for those of you who can’t attend. For those of you needing contact hours for certification, you’ll be able to earn credit for the Play Dates, but not for doing the blog exercises on your own.
This summer’s topics will be as follows:
- June: more on del.icio.us (pre-requisite: Week 8: Semester 1)
- July: more on Google apps: Gmail, Sites, Calendar (pre-requisite: Week 2: Semester 2)
- August: more on LibraryThing (pre-requisite: Week 7: Semester 1)
Please let me know if you have any questions about Project Play. I look forward to continuing to play more, learn more, and fear less with all of you!
Here's what's coming up at OWLS during the next couple of months:
- Project Play "Come & Play"
Thursday, February 28, 9 AM - 11 AM - HOLA Project Workshop
Thursday, March 6, 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM - Project Play "Come & Play"
Wednesday, March 19, 9 AM - 12 PM - Project Play "Come & Play"
Friday, April 4, 9 AM - 12 PM - Outstanding Books for Children and Young Adults (CCBC)
Wednesday, April 23, 9 AM - 3 PM
Haven't registered for these wonderful opportunities yet? Go to the OWLSweb CE page to sign up today.
>> contributed by Beth
The continuing education workshops scheduled for February 20th, "Making Choices in a Web 2.0 World" and "Gadget Training," have been canceled. Earlier this week, notices were sent out to listservs and to anyone who had already registered. We hope to offer these workshops sometime in the future, but no definite plans have been made at this time.
The next CE workshop scheduled will take place on Tuesday, March 6th. The "HOLA Project Workshop" is intended to empower Wisconsin library staff to reach out to the Hispanic community and increase their access to technology. More information about the workshop and a registration link are available on the CE page on OWLSweb. If you have any questions about HOLA, please contact Holly.
There are several Project Play "Come & Play" dates set up over the next few months. If you'd like time to focus on your Project Play exercises with Beth on hand to help out when you need it, be sure to sign up for a session (or for all of them!) today. Dates and times are included on the Lab Classes page on OWLSweb.
And directors, be sure to sign up for "Getting It Done: Surviving State Annual Reports" in the OWLS meeting room! Rick will be on hand to help you complete your annual reports. There's only one spot left on the 19th, so sign up soon. If more of you would like to register let Rick know, so we can set up some more classes for you.
>> contributed by Beth
Second semester of Project Play begins on Monday! I'm excited about starting up again and sharing info on everything from IM to podcasts to mashups. The blog has even had a facelift for a fresh start.
I have scheduled some Come & Play dates for Project Play participants. It's a great way to get uninterrupted time to work on the weeks' assignments and have help from me if you need it. Take a look at the Lab Classes page on OWLSweb and sign up for one or two or all of them.
There are still some spots left if you'd like to join us for round 2. Sign up online at http://projectplay.owlsweb.info/reg/ today!
>> contributed by Beth
Project Play registration opens up in about a month, and I can't wait to get it kicked off in September! If you haven't explored the wiki yet to see what the project is all about, please take a look and let me know if you have any questions.
I recently ran across an article by Roy Tennant that I thought tied in nicely with one of Project Play's goals, which is to "empower and encourage people to take responsibility for their own lifelong learning." Tennant's article, "Three Hard Things," talks about taking time to learn and trying new things, but also highlights that you may need to decide to stop doing something, too.
I hope you'll all take a leap with Project Play this Fall, because you never know... you just might play more, learn more, and fear less!
>> contributed by Beth
